VIDEO: NPP must elect Bawumia as next flag bearer – NPP MP

Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, William Quaitoo says the best person within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to succeed President Akufo Addo is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

President Nana Addo a few months ago suggested he may not lead the NPP party into the next presidential election in 2020.

At his first encounter with the press, the President said he was uncertain if he will prolong his stay in power after serving four years, even though the constitution allows him to seek re-election.

Responding to threats by some illegal miners (galamseyers) that they will vote him out in 2020 if he continues his fight against galamsey, President Akufo-Addo countered “first of all, it is not clear that my name will be on the ballot paper for 2020 and if I will contest, this threat will not stop me from fighting galamsey in the country".

Nonetheless, some leading members of the NPP, have raised concerns about the President’s daring comment, fearing it could affect the fortunes of the party in the next election.

The comment from the Nana Addo is said to have vitalized Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyeremanten and former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai Nimo to lace their boots in eagerness to step into the shoes of the president.

Speaking on an Accra based Starr FM, the resigned deputy minister for Agriculture touted that to him, no one qualifies to lead the NPP in 2020 election to retain power except the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

In justifying his decision, he said, NPP has been perceived for far too long as an Akan party and though Bawumia’s tribe are in the minority, he knows that if NPP should elect Bawumia to become the next flag bearer when Akufo Addo steps down, it will go long way to erase that erroneous impression.

The Member of Parliament for Akim Oda in the Eastern region also stated that if that time comes and he is alive, he will strongly campaign for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Party’s guidelines

The party’s 2014 rules and regulations governing the organization and conduct of the election of presidential candidates frown on MPs or party officers at all levels openly declaring support for a particular candidate.

According to the party’s regulations, “Party officers at all levels, national, regional, constituency, electoral area, polling station, overseas branch (international), as well as MPs, shall refrain from openly declaring the support of any branch, constituency or organ for any individual candidate or campaigning for them.”

It further directs that “no national, regional, constituency, electoral area, polling station or overseas branch officer shall issue a press statement in support of any candidate”.